January 2, 2020 | By Debbi Elmore
Once upon a time in south Wichita, there existed not one – but two – fantasy lands for children. Joyland, on south Hillside, was designed for older kids while Kiddieland, on Harry, was made for little tykes. While much has been written about Joyland, it’s clear that the 30-acre Kiddieland complex inspired lasting memories, too. […]
| By Joe Stumpe
A family member was going through Nancy McMaster’s refrigerator over the holidays when she came across a jar of sourdough bread starter, all bubbly and yeasty like it’s supposed to be. “She thought it was awful and nearly threw it away,” McMaster recalled with a smile. “It was a near miss.” McMaster is that adventurous […]
| By Kollen Long
If a referee notices you on the football field, it’s usually bad news. But Craig Helser often surprises players by offering a compliment instead of tossing his yellow penalty flag. “Say a kid makes a great block, I’ll say ‘Hey, (number) 54!’ And of course they think they’re in trouble. But I’ll say, ‘Great block, […]
| By Suzie White
I had lived in Springfield, Mo., for about five years when I decided it was time to return to my hometown of Wichita. My first marriage had broken up and my sons, ages 8 and 11, seemed to be developing Ozark accents. One day they asked “if we’uns can go to the movie” with a […]
| By Joe Stumpe
With 2020 here, it’s interesting to note that the active age has now been around for all or part of six decades. Originally called Active Aging, the newspaper was started at Wichita State University in 1979 and found a home at Friends University from 1988 to 1999. At that time, community members formed a nonprofit […]
| By The Active Age
WAM Out West The Wichita Art Museum kicks off the year with free events designed to draw patrons in, and out of, doors. Jan. 9, 6 p.m.: WAM curator Elizabeth Seaton will discuss “The Cowboy Within” John Steuart Curry (above), who illustrated many Wild West scenes for books, magazines and murals in addition to the […]
December 3, 2019 | By Joe Stumpe
Once upon a time, women were considered too fragile to play the game of basketball as we know it. Instead of running up and down the length of the court, they were consigned to one end or the other, lest their supposedly delicate constitutions be upset. Except somebody forgot to tell Ruth Ott Gregory. During […]
| By Leslie Chaffin
My husband’s family bears a strong history of cancer. His father, brothers, aunts and uncles died of the disease. We carry cancer insurance as a result. So cancer, I was prepared for. Not Alzheimer’s. Not when my husband was only 54 years old. The signs became clearer just before Christmas 2013, when Jon lost a […]
| By The Active Age
Qualify for a chance to win tickets to Christmas shows at the Orpheum Theatre by identifying which classic holiday movies or TV specials contain the nine lines at right. From all the correct entries we receive, we’ll hold a drawing to give away two pairs of tickets to A Million Dollar Christmas on Dec. 13, […]
| By Joe Stumpe
For years, Tim Churchill has enjoyed baking Christmas treats for family and friends, often using recipes learned from his Greek in-laws. A few years back, another holiday mission came along: he got asked to play Santa Claus for McConnell Air Force Base’s Christmas party. “They were looking for a Santa, and I fit the suit, […]
| By The Active Age
Class of ’54 reunites in El Dorado EL DORADO – El Dorado High School’s class of ’54 always prided itself on its togetherness. Members showed off that closeness – and likely surprised a few folks in the process – when they stole the show at the high school’s Homecoming parade this year. While celebrating their […]
| By The Active Age
Gallery showcases works of Newton pastor NEWTON – Jeffery Sparks sees a connection between his two passions of painting and pastoring. “These are not two different pursuits but one pursuit expressed in two ways, with the singular idea of sharing an experience of beauty and truth,” Sparks said. An exhibit showcasing Sparks’ paintings opened last […]
| By Debbi Elmore
The roar of motors shatters the Sunday quiet on a south Wichita street. Within moments, the first motorcycles appear. The Six Two Riding Club has arrived for its annual toy delivery to the North Pole Express. Once they arrive, the bikers line up to form a human chain to unload the gifts from the van […]
| By Diana Morton
Crown Uptown Theatre, 3702 E. Douglas Ave. A Very Special Crown Christmas. An evening that promises you a bountiful buffet, belly laughs and beautiful holiday music to get you in the Christmas spirit. Reserved ticket prices include dinner and show. Doors open at 6 pm; curtain at 8 pm. Wed-Sat, Now-Dec 28. Tickets $33-38. 316-612-7696 […]
October 31, 2019 | By Joe Stumpe
When Botanica was given the old carousel from Joyland amusement park, it came with one roller coaster-sized problem: It wasn’t in anything close to useable shape. Built in 1949, the carousel had been exposed to the elements for decades before being placed in storage after Joyland’s 2006 closing. This month, it’s expected to open to […]
| By The Active Age
Sue and Ray Jones helped feral cats. Then the City of Augusta took them to court. AUGUSTA – Sue and Ray Jones want to make one thing clear. “We’re not crazy old doddering people who sit in the corner and said ‘We’re going to take care of kitties now,’” Sue says. But the Augusta couple […]
| By The Active Age
Families with more than one member who’ve served in the military will soon be able to commemorate that fact at Veterans Memorial Park. The park board is planning three new walkways on the grounds overlooking the Arkansas River. One of these will be directly south of the Vietnam Memorial, where space will be set aside […]
| By The Active Age
Congratulations to the winners of last month’s puzzle contest/theater ticket drawing: Lois Barrett, Theresa Bills, Mrs. Pat Postlethwait, Debbie Rohrback and Maria Tenborg. And thanks again to the participating theaters who provided tickets: Crown Uptown, Guild Street Players, Kechi Playhouse, Mosley Street Melodrama and Wichita Community Theatre. Here are the clues and answers to the […]
| By Debbi Elmore
Thirty-seven years after launching The Street Ministry to help the “motel moms” and their children on south Broadway, Straw Hidaka has hung up her mantle, following doctor’s advice. Her advocacy began by happenstance. She was working with her husband, David, at his stock broker’s office, and took her daily coffee breaks at Don’s Café on […]
| By Donya Rawlings
I remember the exact day I made the choice to make yoga a priority in my life. It was the day I took an online balance-based age test. As I stood in the middle of my bathroom floor, gazing at my reflection, I closed my eyes and lifted one foot. Three attempts later and a […]
| By Janice Sroufe
Fall is an ideal time to plant garlic. Just about any sunny spot of well-drained soil will work. Crumble up the dirt, add some compost, and you are ready to plant. There are many varieties of garlic that you can find locally at garden centers or seed stores, or you can order online. Although not […]
| By The Active Age
Black history explored A new exhibit looking at African American history in early Wichita focuses on what was known as the “West End” or “Black Belt” area of the city. It’s on display through Nov. 23 at The Kansas African Museum, 601 N. Water, which is located in the former Calvary Baptist Church that was […]
| By Joe Stumpe
After 30-plus years in the newspaper business, I finally got to utter the words “Stop the presses!” It wasn’t quite as much fun as in the movies. Let me set the scene. A day or two after sending the edited and corrected proofs of last month’s issue to our printer, Valley Offset Printing, I sat […]
| By Tim Marlar
It is fall and football season is in full swing. Have you heard the NFL has a new promotion? In honor of its 100th season, it is inviting coaches, players and fans to take part in Huddle for 100. You do this by donating 100 minutes of your time in a way that helps your community. […]
| By Diana Morton
Crown Uptown Theatre, 3702 E. Douglas Ave. A Very Special Crown Christmas. An evening that promises you a bountiful buffet, belly laughs and beautiful holiday music to get you in the Christmas spirit. Featured are some of the most talented performers in this area: John Bates, Jenny Mitchell, Ryan Schafer, Cindy Summers, Kyle Vespestad and […]